OVER 90 riders turned out for the 18 classes hosted as part of the first leg of the Leinster Dressage region of Dressage Ireland’s five-round winter league last Sunday at Coilog EC in Kilmeague, Co. Kildare. The league will run until April 24th where riders will compete to earn points towards the overall result and prizes.

Two preliminary classes were judged by Michael Moore and Bernie Webb. In preliminary test DIP8 category one was won by Lorna Keogh on board Dermot Kane’s Choice Rose with 66.15% ahead of Christine Brooks and Summerbridge Areil in second place with 65.19%.

Category two was won by Lucy Cusack and Gavelle Ter Kwincke. Preliminary BD15 category one was won by local rider Linda O’Byrne with her grey mare Irco Belle. The pair won the class on 69.13% ahead of Hannah Maloney-Quinn and Blackriver Decoded in second place with 64.78.

The category two section saw first place going to Sonya McCormack and I Google It with 68.26% and second place going to Tara Hayes and Harley with 65.87. Bernie Webb also judged novice class DI N27. Roisin Winter took top marks in category one in this class with Rhos Royal Velvet earning a win with a high score of 72.93%. Lianne O’Shea placed second with 64.66 with Bento Van De Noordheuvel. Sofie Walshe and Kansau were the category two winners on 62.07. Michael Moore judged novice class BD23 where Roisin Winters was placed second on Chocolat. Jenny Doran won the class on 68.33% with Horseplay Diamond Matrix. Ryan Hopper from Northern Ireland won the category two section with Dalways Frere with 67.04%. Sligo resident Simone Hession placed second in both category two novice classes riding Beezies Double Diamond.

There were two elementary classes on the day. Elementary DI E56 resulted in a win for Sandra Given and Donatus Succhi (category two). Elementary BD 45 saw wins for Ciara Kelly with Stoneman Swan Song (category one) and Tara Hayes with Bantiss Holy Joe (category two). Medium class DI M67 was judged by Dermot Cannon and produced a win for Margeurite McSweeney and Flagranti. The pair won the class on a score of 68.48%.

Medium M73, also judged by Dermot Cannon was won by Kevin Acres on Biala Perla with 64.71%. Maggy Williams and Homegrown Alex placed second in both medium classes with scores of 66.97 and 62.21 respectively. The advanced medium class resulted in another win for Marguerite McSweeney and Flagranti. This combination had a winning score of 68.53% leaving Kevin Acres and Saint Emilion 2 in second place with 64.26.

Sonya McCormack won the advanced BD 100 class on Bounce Back George producing a top score of 64.38%. Simone Hession and Beezies Big Brother placed second with 63.28. Iris Walshe and her bay gelding Ridder Van De Portella topped the placings in the Prix St George class to win with 63.29%.

The unregistered preliminary classes were won by Elena Rose Slattery and Millicent Victor (BD13) and Dermot O’Connor and Skywalker (DI P15). The novice unregistered classes saw wins for Bridget McGing and Chikari (DI N23) and Ruth Robinson and Bumble Bee Orchid (BD 27). Additionally, two pony classes for children also known as ‘dressage demons’ classes were held. Laragh Byrne and Bingo were first in class A with 65.22% while Ellen Lonergan and Beaulieu Ginger Pop were first in Class B with 70.50%.

Leinster Dressage were fortunate enough to have some great prizes on offer, courtesy of sponsors.

The top scoring rider in the preliminary, novice, elementary and medium classes received a voucher for the Equine Hydrotherapy Spa in the Curragh. These prizes were awarded to Linda O’Byrne (preliminary), Roisin Winters (novice), Tara Hayes (elementary) and Marguerite McSweeney (medium and advanced medium) and Iris Walshe (Prix St George).

The second leg of the league will take places tomorrow (Sunday) at Killossery Lodge Stud.